Now in stock….

We are a nation of animal lovers….that’s for sure. But we still encounter stick injuries in dogs year after year, so we’ve made it our aim to offer our owners and their much loved dogs SAFE STIX – The safe alternative to sticks.

Safe Stix can be thrown further, they float in water and although they look funny; they are nice and soft on dog’s mouths.

So next time you’re out and about with your dog, don’t grab a dirty, splintery, sharp old stick – grab a SAFE STIX instead.

Top Tips for warm weather

Your pet should always be able to move into a cooler, ventilated environment if they are feeling hot.

Never leave your dog alone in a car. If you want to take your dog with you on a car journey, make sure that your destination is dog friendly – you won’t be able to leave your dog in the car and you don’t want your day out to be ruined!

If you have to leave your dog outside, you must provide a cool shady spot where they can escape from the sun at all times of the day.

Make sure your dog always has a good supply of drinking water, in a weighted bowl that can’t be knocked over. Ensure you always carry water with you on hot days and give your dog frequent small amounts.

Never leave your pet in a glass conservatory or a caravan. Even if it is cloudy when you leave, the sun may come out later in the day and make it unbearably hot.

Groom your pets regularly to get rid of excess hair. Give long-coated dogs a haircut in the summer, and also later on in the season if necessary.

Dogs need exercise – even when it is hot. Walk your dog early in the morning or later in the evening. NEVER ALLOW YOUR DOG TO EXCERCISE EXCESSIVELY IN HOT WEATHER.

Pets can get sunburned too – particularly those with pale coloured noses or light coloured fur on their ears. Please ask us about pet-safe sunscreen.

Cats are more likely to find themselves somewhere cool to sleep in the heat of the summer. If they are out roaming all day when you are out, ensure a bowl of fresh, clean water is available outside for them should they need it.

Keeping Rabbits cool is also very important

This exceptionally hot summer can do more than wither your plants. Heatstroke in Rabbits can be fatal, so it is essential to keep your furry friends cool because of the extreme drought. Rabbits cannot sweat or pant to help bring down their body temperature, so they are particularly vulnerable to suffering in the hot weather.

Here are some simple steps you can take to stop Rabbits from overheating:

Ensure your rabbit’s enclosure is in a cool place and out of direct sunlight

Freeze a partially filled plastic water bottle, wrap it in a towel and place it in your rabbits’ enclosure for them to lay next too.

Provide both a bowl and bottle of water and add ice cubes to keep it cool

Place a large ceramic or slate tile in your rabbits enclosure for them to lie on, also ensure they have tunnels to shelter in.

It is also very useful to display a minimum and maximum thermometer in your rabbits enclosure, so you can monitor the temperatures of their environment, and then make necessary adjustments.

The signs for heatstroke include:

A fully stretched out Rabbit with feet sprawled apart and a limp tail

Sleepy and/or disorientated appearance

Rapid/laboured breathing, tongue hanging out

If you think your rabbit has heatstroke, you must seek veterinary attention immediately. For the trip there, wetting your rabbits ears and resting them on a damp towel can help.

Never pour water on them to cool them down and remember to keep their environment clean and hygienic to reduce any chances of fly strike.

In this hot weather, it is also vitally important to check your rabbit twice a day for signs of flystrike.

Under the Animal Welfare Act you have a legal duty to care for your pet and if you put your pet at risk, you could face prosecution. You would also have to live with the fact that your actions resulted in terrible suffering for your pet.

If you see a dog in a car on a warm day please call the police on 999.

Heatstroke – Early warning signs

HEAT STROKE CAN BE FATAL-DO EVERYTHING YOU CAN TO PREVENT IT.

Some dogs are more prone to heatstroke. For example, dogs with shorter snouts, over-weight or heavily muscled dogs and long-haired breeds, as well as very old dogs or very young dogs. Dogs with certain diseases are more prone to heatstroke, as are dogs on certain medication.

If dogs are unable to reduce their body temperature, they will develop heatstroke. There are some signs to look for:

Heavy Panting

Profuse salivation

A Rapid Pulse

Very Red gums/tongue

Lethargy

Lack of coordination

Reluctance or inability to rise after collapsing

Vomiting

Diarrhoea

Loss of consciousness in extreme circumstances

Heat Stroke First Aid

If your dog shows any signs of heatstroke, move them to a shaded, cool area, and ring the vet for advise immediately.

Heatstroke can be fatal and should always be treated as an emergency.

Dogs suffering from heatstroke urgently need to have their body temperature gradually lowered:

Immediately douse your dog with cool (NOT COLD) water, to avoid shock – your could put them in the shower and run cool water over them, or use a spray filled with cool water and place your dog in the breeze of a fan.

Let your dog drink SMALL AMOUNTS OF COOL WATER.

Continue to douse your dog with cool water until their breathing starts to settle. NEVER COOL YOUR DOG SO MUCH THAT THEY START TO SHIVER.